Flotation Energy and Cobra have received full onshore and offshore planning consent for their 100-megawatt (MW) White Cross floating offshore wind project in the Celtic Sea, marking a step forward for floating wind development in southern UK waters.
The project, located 52 kilometres off the coast of Devon, will consist of six to eight floating turbines and is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 135,000 homes, according to the developers.
Planning approval was granted by North Devon Council for the onshore infrastructure, while the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) issued a Marine Licence for the offshore elements under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, aligned with the South West Marine Plan.
“This is an important moment for the White Cross Offshore Windfarm, and for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea,” said Sam Park, senior project manager at Flotation Energy. “We are grateful to the North Devon Council and the Marine Management Organisation, and to everyone who has engaged with the project. In response to feedback, we have adapted our plans to minimise environmental and social impacts.”
The project’s export cable will come ashore at Saunton Sands and run approximately 8km underground to a new substation, where it will connect to the existing East Yelland substation. The cable route will pass beneath environmentally sensitive areas including Braunton Burrows and the Taw Estuary using trenchless installation methods to avoid surface disruption.
Park noted that the decision marks a geographic shift for the UK’s floating wind sector. “The UK is already a leader in floating offshore wind technology, but until now this has only been via projects in Scottish waters. This decision gives us a valuable opportunity to harness this pioneering technology to help deliver the energy transition in the south west of England,” he said.
The White Cross project is considered a precursor to larger-scale floating wind deployment in the Celtic Sea, in line with the Crown Estate’s long-term strategy. The developers said the project will contribute to national decarbonisation and energy security targets, while also supporting local job creation and the regional supply chain.
